Make a train from cardboard boxes
Berwyn’s Toy Trains and Models
Chicagoland’s largest collections of model railroading products for your O Gauge layout
The Hobby Center in La Grange has a Lionel model train in their window
A Kidlist reader commented that they are one of the only stores in the area that helps fix toy trains and carries Lionel Model parts.
Train Restaurants
Get your food delivered in a train car while you enjoy your train-themed surroundings.
Day Out with Thomas event at the Illinois Railway Museum (Union, IL)
The event starts on August 15 and runs two weekends.
The Model Railroad Garden at The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe
18 model trains with close to 50 miniature American landmarks and 26 bridges
Go to your local train station to sit and watch the trains
Oakridge Hobby and Toy Store in Darien
A great store that has a model train running around the store near the ceiling.
Kramer Foods in Hinsdale
This grocery store has a small train above the frozen food cases.
Cantigny in Wheaton has a Lego Train Show in December
Large displays with moving Lego trains
National Train Day changed it’s name to Amtrak Train Days and instead of just one day it will be spread throughout the year. The Chicago Union Station day is May 9th.
Many train related activites, play tables, displays and more
Great Midwest Train Show (monthly) at the DuPage County Fairgrounds (Wheaton)
World’s largest monthly model train show featuring operating model train displays, LEGO layout and HO layout for the kids to operate. Next train show is August 9th.
The Great Train Story at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
Model railroad with more than 20 trains running on 1,400 feet of track, completing the winding journey between Chicago and Seattle. This year the train exhibit is celebrating 10 years.
Polar Express Rides are offered in December and the registration happens in August and September.
Take a trip to Taltree Arboretum to see the Railway Garden
Read about our day trip idea here: Taltree + Candy Factory
Ride the Metra BNSF
Did you know that children 7 and under are free? Here are some destination ideas when you want to take a ride on the train.
- Western Springs: Oberweis for ice cream, The Fruit Store for a smoothie, Tropical Sno for hawiian ice, Spring Rock Park to play
- Naperville: DuPage Children’s Museum
- Downers Grove: Anderson’s Bookshop, Downers Grove Public Library
- Chicago: Nuts on Clark in Union Station, Water Taxi along the river, Chicago Trolley Tour, Millenium Park, Uber taxi back to the train station
- Clarendon Hills: Learning Express toy store
- Westmont: Veterans Memorial Park
Downtown Downer’s Grove also has a very nice toy store at the corner of Main and Curtis, less than 2 blocks from the train station.